Felling The Tree - Echo CS-400 - 04-09 Instruction Manual

Direction of fall
Retreat
Direction of fall
5 cm (2 in.)
First cut
Notch
Second cut
One-third tree diameter
1
CS-400
3 m (10 feet)
Retreat
45°
Not this way
Hinge
Felling cut
5 cm (2 in.)
3
2

FELLING THE TREE

WARNING
A falling tree can seriously damage anything it may
hit - a car, a house, a fence, a power line, or another
tree. There are ways to make a tree fall where you
want it, so first decide where that is!
Before cutting, clear the area around the tree.You will
need good footing while working and you should be
able to work the saw without hitting any obstacles. Next,
select a path of retreat.When the tree begins to fall you
should retreat away from the direction of fall at a 45-de-
gree angle and at least 3 m (10 feet) from the trunk to
avoid the trunk kicking back over the stump.
Begin the cut on the side to which the tree is to fall. Cut
a notch about 1/3 of the way into the tree. The position
of this notch is important since the tree will try to fall
"into" the notch.The felling cut is made on the side op-
posite the notch and at a level about 5 cm (2 in.) above
the bottom of the notch. Do not try to cut through to the
notch with the felling cut.
The remaining wood between the notch cut and felling
cut about 5 cm (2 in.) will act as a hinge when the tree
falls, guiding it in the desired direction.
When the tree starts to fall, kill the engine, place the saw
on the ground and make your retreat quickly.
To fell big trees with a diameter exceeding twice the bar
length, start the notching cuts from one side and draw
the saw through to the other side of the notch.
Start the back cut on one side of the tree, pivoting the
saw through to form the desired hinge on that side.
Then remove the saw for the second cut. Insert the saw
in the first cut, very carefully so as not to cause kick-
back. The final cut is made by drawing the saw forward
in the cut to reach the hinge.
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